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EP.04 – From Marine to Million-Selling Author: Craig Martelle on Craft, Productivity & the Business of Indie Publishing
From over 20 years in Marine intelligence to accidentally setting himself on fire (yes, literally), to writing 200+ books and becoming a million-selling author—Craig Martelle’s path to publishing is unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
In this episode of The Writers Ritual, Craig breaks down the real mechanics of a sustainable writing career:
• how he wrote thousands of words every day for five straight years
• the habits that built his indie publishing empire
• why consistency beats talent
• how to think like a working writer
• and why “treat your writing like a business” isn’t a cliché
A lawyer and former business consultant, Craig brings rare insight into the evolving world of independent publishing, building readership, author branding, and the future of writing in an AI-driven landscape.
A deep-dive into productivity, the business of being an author, and the creative mindset required to build a long-term writing career.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
02:02 – Craig’s First Book at 13
04:10 – The Books That Shaped Him
06:00 – Star Trek, Diversity & Early Influences
08:50 – Marine Corps, Intelligence Work & Life Abroad
14:26 – The Fire Accident That Sent Him Back to Writing
17:08 – Writing His First Post-Apocalyptic Novel
19:10 – Why He Went Indie (and Never Queried)
22:13 – How Publishing Has Changed in the Last 10 Years
24:47 – Why Authors Must Become Brands
27:40 – The Power of Consistency Over Talent
33:52 – Writing 2,700 Words a Day for Five Years
38:07 – Character, Plot & Craft
41:25 – How He Thinks Through Scenes
46:12 – Writer’s Block, Discipline & Avoiding Self-Sabotage
49:55 – Personal Loss & Writing Through Grief
52:22 – Craig vs. “Ugly First Drafts”
57:00 – Tools for Dyslexic and Neurodivergent Writers
01:02:20 – The Future of Writing in the Age of AI
01:05:10 – Advice for New Authors
01:12:30 – What’s Next for Craig
01:16:20 – Where to Find His Work
Links
Website: https://craigmartelle.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/craigmartelle
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/craigmartelle
More on the Writers Ritual:
https://www.writersritual.com/
Craig Martelle, Brianna Winner, The Writer’s Ritual, writing podcast, indie publishing, self-publishing, writing craft, sustainable creativity, creative discipline, writing habits, writing routine, productivity for writers, author branding, Marine intelligence, million-selling author, 20BooksTo50K, writing advice, future of publishing, AI and writing, storytelling, fiction writing, book marketing, how to write more, how to build an author career, publishing in 2025, writer motivation, character development, worldbuilding, creative mindset, writing community
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By Brianna WinnerFrom over 20 years in Marine intelligence to accidentally setting himself on fire (yes, literally), to writing 200+ books and becoming a million-selling author—Craig Martelle’s path to publishing is unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
In this episode of The Writers Ritual, Craig breaks down the real mechanics of a sustainable writing career:
• how he wrote thousands of words every day for five straight years
• the habits that built his indie publishing empire
• why consistency beats talent
• how to think like a working writer
• and why “treat your writing like a business” isn’t a cliché
A lawyer and former business consultant, Craig brings rare insight into the evolving world of independent publishing, building readership, author branding, and the future of writing in an AI-driven landscape.
A deep-dive into productivity, the business of being an author, and the creative mindset required to build a long-term writing career.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
02:02 – Craig’s First Book at 13
04:10 – The Books That Shaped Him
06:00 – Star Trek, Diversity & Early Influences
08:50 – Marine Corps, Intelligence Work & Life Abroad
14:26 – The Fire Accident That Sent Him Back to Writing
17:08 – Writing His First Post-Apocalyptic Novel
19:10 – Why He Went Indie (and Never Queried)
22:13 – How Publishing Has Changed in the Last 10 Years
24:47 – Why Authors Must Become Brands
27:40 – The Power of Consistency Over Talent
33:52 – Writing 2,700 Words a Day for Five Years
38:07 – Character, Plot & Craft
41:25 – How He Thinks Through Scenes
46:12 – Writer’s Block, Discipline & Avoiding Self-Sabotage
49:55 – Personal Loss & Writing Through Grief
52:22 – Craig vs. “Ugly First Drafts”
57:00 – Tools for Dyslexic and Neurodivergent Writers
01:02:20 – The Future of Writing in the Age of AI
01:05:10 – Advice for New Authors
01:12:30 – What’s Next for Craig
01:16:20 – Where to Find His Work
Links
Website: https://craigmartelle.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/craigmartelle
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/craigmartelle
More on the Writers Ritual:
https://www.writersritual.com/
Craig Martelle, Brianna Winner, The Writer’s Ritual, writing podcast, indie publishing, self-publishing, writing craft, sustainable creativity, creative discipline, writing habits, writing routine, productivity for writers, author branding, Marine intelligence, million-selling author, 20BooksTo50K, writing advice, future of publishing, AI and writing, storytelling, fiction writing, book marketing, how to write more, how to build an author career, publishing in 2025, writer motivation, character development, worldbuilding, creative mindset, writing community